An open letter from Jim Bequette, editor of Guns & Ammo, states, in part: “I made a mistake by publishing the column. I thought it would generate a healthy exchange of ideas on gun rights. I miscalculated, pure and simple. I was wrong, and ask your forgiveness.”

He added that he owes “each and every reader a personal apology.”

So, admittedly, it was Bequette’s mistake, but Metcalf gets sent to the firing squad.

A glance at the Guns & Ammo Facebook page gives you a peek behind the curtain at the absolute, unbridled anger from the readership that led to this decision.

On one hand, kudos to Guns & Ammo for presenting a potentially unpopular take on a polarizing topic. Debate is good. On the other hand, you’re Guns & Ammo. This is like Bread & Butter magazine suggesting that its readers consider switching to pitas and hummus.

Then again, what did the brass at Guns & Ammo think would happen? Rule No. 1 in any communication-related field: Know your audience.

Mind you, Metcalf wasn’t calling for guns to be made illegal. He wasn’t saying we should ban all guns, destroy them and pretend like they never existed. He presented an informed perspective on the topic of gun regulations in a gun magazine.